Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA)
State-by-state licensing requirements, salary data, and career ROI
What Is a Certified Nursing Assistant?
Certified Nursing Assistants provide hands-on patient care — helping with bathing, dressing, feeding, mobility, and recording vital signs — under the supervision of registered nurses or LPNs. They work in nursing homes, hospitals, assisted living facilities, and home health settings. CNA certification is one of the fastest entry points into healthcare, typically requiring 4–12 weeks of state-approved training and a competency exam.
The Landscape
State-to-state differences in licensing requirements are substantial. Initial training hours vary wildly, from a mere 16 hours in states like Minnesota and Colorado to a demanding 100 hours in California and Missouri. While all 51 states require a license, the ongoing renewal criteria differ significantly; most require minimal work hours, but a few, such as Oregon and Vermont, demand a substantial 400 hours of paid work every two years, which can be a significant commitment for part-time CNAs. Many states also mandate a criminal background check, which is a universal hurdle for entry into the profession.
Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) by State
Click any state for detailed requirements, salary percentiles, and ROI analysis.
| State | License Required | Median Salary | vs. National | Time to Complete |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | Yes | $32,470 | -17.9% | 4-8 weeks |
| Alaska | Yes | $45,840 | +16.0% | 6-12 weeks |
| Arizona | Yes | $41,980 | +6.2% | 3-10 weeks |
| Arkansas | Yes | $31,990 | -19.1% | 4-12 weeks |
| California | Yes | $46,420 | +17.4% | 6-16 weeks |
| Colorado | Yes | $44,950 | +13.7% | 3-12 weeks |
| Connecticut | Yes | $44,500 | +12.6% | Varies (training 4-8 weeks, exam within 24 months of training completion) |
| Delaware | Yes | $39,240 | -0.7% | 6-12 weeks |
| District of Columbia | Yes | $46,860 | +18.5% | 4 weeks - 5 months |
| Florida | Yes | $36,850 | -6.8% | Varies (4-8 weeks for training, plus application/testing time) |
| Georgia | Yes | $36,570 | -7.5% | Varies (programs range from 4 weeks to 2 semesters) |
| Hawaii | Yes | $44,830 | +13.4% | 4-8 weeks |
| Idaho | Yes | $37,530 | -5.1% | 9-12 weeks for training, plus exam and registry processing time |
| Illinois | Yes | $44,750 | +13.2% | 1-4 months |
| Indiana | Yes | $37,330 | -5.6% | As little as 6 weeks |
| Iowa | No | $38,630 | -2.3% | 3-8 weeks (training) + at least 2 weeks (registry processing) |
| Kansas | Yes | $36,910 | -6.6% | 2-8 weeks |
| Kentucky | Yes | $37,330 | -5.6% | 4-8 weeks |
| Louisiana | Yes | $30,240 | -23.5% | 3-8 weeks for training; several days to several weeks for registry listing |
| Maine | Yes | $45,640 | +15.5% | 6-12 weeks |
| Maryland | Yes | $40,000 | +1.2% | 4-8 weeks |
| Massachusetts | Yes | $45,410 | +14.9% | 4-15 weeks |
| Michigan | Yes | $38,900 | -1.6% | 4-15 weeks |
| Minnesota | Yes | $45,580 | +15.3% | 3-8 weeks |
| Mississippi | Yes | $30,460 | -22.9% | 4-8 weeks |
| Missouri | Yes | $37,170 | -6.0% | 6-12 weeks |
| Montana | Yes | $39,300 | -0.6% | 6-12 weeks |
| Nebraska | Yes | $38,620 | -2.3% | Varies (training 3-8 weeks, application processing up to 30 days) |
| Nevada | Yes | $45,060 | +14.0% | 4-12 weeks |
| New Hampshire | Yes | $46,050 | +16.5% | 4-12 weeks |
| New Jersey | Yes | $44,910 | +13.6% | 4-10 weeks |
| New Mexico | Yes | $37,030 | -6.3% | 4-9 weeks for training, 3-4 weeks for exam, 1-2 weeks for registry placement |
| New York | Yes | $47,390 | +19.9% | 4-15 weeks |
| North Carolina | Yes | $37,670 | -4.7% | Varies (typically 3-8 weeks for training, plus exam and application processing) |
| North Dakota | Yes | $44,190 | +11.8% | 3-8 weeks |
| Ohio | Yes | $38,570 | -2.4% | 3-15 weeks |
| Oklahoma | Yes | $35,040 | -11.4% | 2-12 weeks |
| Oregon | Yes | $48,390 | +22.4% | 6-12 weeks |
| Pennsylvania | Yes | $41,110 | +4.0% | 4-15 weeks |
| Rhode Island | Yes | $44,160 | +11.7% | 5-12 weeks |
| South Carolina | Yes | $36,370 | -8.0% | 4-8 weeks |
| South Dakota | Yes | $38,070 | -3.7% | 3-8 weeks |
| Tennessee | Yes | $36,750 | -7.0% | 3-8 weeks (training) + 1 week (application processing) |
| Texas | Yes | $36,390 | -7.9% | 4-8 weeks (training program) |
| Utah | Yes | $38,500 | -2.6% | 4-8 weeks |
| Vermont | Yes | $43,610 | +10.3% | 3-10 weeks |
| Virginia | Yes | $38,790 | -1.9% | 4-12 weeks |
| Washington | Yes | $48,260 | +22.1% | 4-12 weeks for training, plus 2-4 weeks for application processing (total 8-16 weeks average) |
| West Virginia | Yes | $36,340 | -8.1% | 4-10 weeks |
| Wisconsin | Yes | $43,250 | +9.4% | 1-4 months |
| Wyoming | Yes | $38,360 | -3.0% | 3-8 weeks for training, plus a few weeks for exam and background check |
Highest-Paying States for Certified Nursing Assistants
| # | State | Median Salary | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Oregon | $48,390 | 12,800 |
| 2 | Washington | $48,260 | 28,080 |
| 3 | New York | $47,390 | 85,310 |
| 4 | District of Columbia | $46,860 | 2,550 |
| 5 | California | $46,420 | 102,380 |
| 6 | New Hampshire | $46,050 | 7,190 |
| 7 | Alaska | $45,840 | 1,660 |
| 8 | Maine | $45,640 | 8,590 |
| 9 | Minnesota | $45,580 | 26,970 |
| 10 | Massachusetts | $45,410 | 38,280 |
Find a Training Program
Compare certified nursing assistant programs at trade schools across the country — ranked by graduate earnings, ROI, and AI resilience.